Blackmail alleged as Greitens admits to extramarital affair

Posted online
January 11, 2018 | 7:41 am

Gov. Eric Greitens yesterday admitted he engaged in an extramarital affair, an admission that followed months of investigation by St. Louis news station KMOV.

KMOV obtained a recording by the woman detailing the sexual encounter with Greitens before he was governor. The woman's ex-husband, who provided details to KMOV, claims Greitens took a photograph to use as "blackmail."

Greitens denied the blackmail claims through his attorney, James Bennett.

"The station declined to provide the tape or transcript in advance of running their story, which contained multiple false allegations," Bennett said. "The claim that this nearly three-year old story has generated or should generate law enforcement interest is completely false. There was no blackmail and that claim is false.

"This personal matter has been addressed by the governor and Mrs. Greitens privately years ago when it happened."